My friend knows a widow who is left with multiple bows. He asked me to look at them as he knows little about recurves. Much to my suprise there are three Hummingbirds, a Wes Wallace Mentor, a RER, a Black Creek Banshee plus more. I have no idea what to offer for any one or multiple bows. They are all in like new condition. What should I do???

Depends if you want a bargain or give fair market value. Fair market is probably 45-55% of new price for all of them and if they are FF. Bargain: Offer 200 for each....and see if she'll accept.....

All on you. To me they are used bows so they wouldn't be worth more than 50% of new.

Hardly our choice. You know your finances and if you really want any or all of them. Talk to the lady and get an idea of what's fair for both you and her.

Help her sell them

You did say she is a widow....give her the top end of what they are worth and maybe a little more.

I would first ask her what SHE wants done with them. If she wants to sell them, I would explain to her that bows typically sell for 50% or so of their original cost. I may show her examples of that on this site if need be. Then, I would make her an offer that would be good for both of you. Maybe she would take 40% of each bows value if you buy them all? Saves her time, shipping, aggravation, and maybe even some heartache.

Help the guy list them in our classifieds and get them sold at fair prices.

That would be the Cowboy Way. Or have him talk to Big Jim or RMS gear about a consignment deal. They should be willing and able to help her get what’s fair.

You know the Tradshooter’s Prayer, right?

“Dear Lord, please don’t let my wife sell off my bows for what I told her I paid for them!”

Not really a joke!

It's never the wrong time to do the right thing.

You don't need any of us to tell you what to do.

You are the one that will have to live with your decision.

Good Day

I wouldn't take advantage of her but I also want a bargain. I don't know the woman as she is a friend of my friend. I could only find these clues to there value, Hummingbird shows $1200 as the cost of a Hummingbird Kingfisher and now the maker has passed on. Does that increase the value like a painter and his portraits? I see a Wes Wallace used on Big Jims for $950. There's also a beautiful Fox bow. sixteen bows in total with only two plain Janes. Thanks everyone for your responses. gunr

The Big Guy says don't take advantage of widows or orphans??

I like GF's ideas

Back in August, I had meet with a woman who was in a similar way. Only she had even a bigger mess. With over 110 used bows to move and not wanting to be taken advantage of, she contacted a friend who put her in touch with me and a few others.

We worked out a deal and I purchased all that she didn't want to pass on to family. I purchase 110 bows including 18 black widows, 16 original 21st century, over a dz bob lee's, Tomahawks, ilf's, A &H's, humingbirds, and too many others to list.

I offered to consign them for her but she wasn't interested in that. There are several things that can be done for for your friends friend. It all depends on how big of a hurry she is in.

Unfortunately used bows rarely have as much value as most perceive. Sell them 1 at a time, go through all the individual effort involved with the risk of returns and she will receive the most for them. Sell them in bulk to anyone especially a dealor and she will get the least, but with the least effort and risk.

It's not about taking advantage. How many people do you know that are looking to buy a bunch of bows at face value all at once? What are the chance that one person would want each model at their individual specs?

It is also often that one persons opinion of like new is nothing like anothers.

We would certainly entertain the opportunity. thanks, bigJim

Bows rarely go up in value due to the death of a bowyer. The number 1 determining factor of "real" value is draw weight!

A bow with a "real" value of $500 that is in a draw weight of 25-50 lbs can be moved fairly easily... one would think anyway. However, unless the buyer is looking for that bow, they usually are looking for a deal.

That same bow with a draw weight that is 51-70 lbs, may still have a "real" value of $500 but the seller will hold on to it exponentially longer or have to sell it at a condsierably lower rate to move it. Time is money.

BigJim

Marry her ! :)

Big Jim, Thank you for the reply and the offer.

I thought of you after looking at your used bow selection and I will inquire with the owner as to what she may want to do.

They all are 50ish lbs and under, 26 to 28 draw length. Lordy, they are beautiful and as a retirement gift to myself I may grab one or two.

lunatic, I am already married but she has mentioned I could get one so I guess I'll keep her...

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